RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2020
6
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com
Moe's Musings Views
Happy Retailing,
W
ell, another year is almost over. You have about three months left to make
year-end sales quotas and meet VR levels. What will the economy do after
the election is over? What new options and products, money savings
devices, and money wasting schemes will appear? I don't have a crystal ball — nor do
I have the answer, sorry. However, here are some pointers that may help you pinch
some pennies and catch up from a roller coaster year.
• Drink water rather than soda. I haven't run a cost comparison between an ounce of
Coca Cola and an ounce of filtered tap water, but I'm fairly confident that filtered
tap water is infinitely cheaper and healthier too.
• Work out at home versus at the gym. Being healthy can save you money, but
exorbitant fees and inflexible contracts can make gyms a less desirable option than
working out at home. Instead, use that money to build a gym at home with previously
owned equipment. Heck, you're already moving boxes at your business, so who
needs a gym?
• Ask creditors to lower your interest rate. Creditors are feeling the crunch and
recognize that it takes more money to find a new customer than to retain a current
one. Your creditors might give you a lower rate if you tell them that you don't want
to keep your account unless the rate is lower.
• Don't pay for banking privileges. There are too many free checking accounts out
there to pay even one penny in fees for the right to write a check or use a debit card.
Many banks and credit unions only require that you use direct deposit or use your
debit card a minimum number of times per month to qualify for fee-free accounts.
• Adjust your W-4 at work. The fastest way to give yourself a raise is to increase the
number of exemptions on your W-4 form to reduce the amount your employer
withholds from your paycheck. If you received a huge refund this year, check the
IRS website to calculate the number of exemptions you need to reduce the amount
of money withheld from your paycheck to an amount equal to your tax liability.
• Quit smoking. Besides being an incredibly unhealthy habit, smoking is expensive!
Many pack-a-day smokers could easily trim $200 from their monthly budget by
kicking the habit. That's $2,400 a year! If you can't find any other motivation to quit,
use finances.
MORE MONEY
IN YOUR POCKET
We proudly support the following
trade associations and buying groups
throughout North America whose news
and information greatly contribute to the
quality of The Retail Observer and the
education of our readers.
www.asid.org
www.brandsource.com
www.cedia.org
www.dpha.net
www.feigroup.net
www.htsa.com
www.cta.tech
www.cantrex.com
www.unitedservicers.com
www.psoca.org
www.NKBA.org
www.necoalliance.com
www.psaworld.org
www.prosourceinfo.com
THE RETAIL
www.nahb.org
www.nrha.org
Follow us on:
Join us at:
Become a Fan:
www.NARI.org
www.nationwidegroup.org
www.aham.org
www.rtohq.org
